Tamworth Sandakan Memorial Middle Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image 0 / 0 - Prev Next Description / Background This brick cenotaph is topped with a bronze topographical model of the Sandakan and Ranau areas of Borneo, including the route taken on the forced death marches during the Second World War. The memorial honours the more than 150 men of the northern region of NSW who died at Sandakan and Ranua. The memorial is located in the centre of Tamworth's Anzac Park. It was unveiled on 31 July 1994 by the chairman of the Sandakan Memorial Foundation Limited and dedicated by Father John Rogers (OFM POW Sandakan and Kutching). The foundation was assisted by Tamworth Council, Tamworth RSL, NBN3, and Tamworth and district residents. Tamworth was selected as a site for this memorial because of its geographical location within the north-west of the state. Inscription Plaque 1 The sculptured terrain of Sabah illustrates the route of the death marches, shown by a bronze ribbon, between Sandakan and Ranau which was substantially swamp and dense jungle in 1945. Plaque 2 This memorial was dedicated by Father John Brendan Rogers O.F.M. Eight Division A.I.F. Chaplain, Sandakan and Kuching. This memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of the City of Tamworth, Councillor David John. 31st July, 1994. Plaque 3 In memory of 1800 Australians of the 8th Division A.I.F. and 750 British troops. They fought gallantly in the defence of Malaya and Singapore during World War II. Following the fall of Singapore, they became prisoners of the Japanese and were transported to Sandakan in British North Borneo, now Sabah, in 1942 to construct an airfield, where 900 died of ill-treatment. By the end of 1944, when allied forces were within striking distance of Sandakan. The Japanese command ordered the removal of prisoners inland to Ranau 165 miles (265 kilometres) west. On 29 January 1945, 470 prisoners guarded by 500 Japanese marched towards Ranua. Those unable to carry on were killed. The second march comprising 532 prisoners left Sandakan on 29 May 1945. 183 arrived at Ranua on 26 June 1945. Only eight survived from the first march. Of the 288 prisoners left at Sandakan there were no survivors. On 1 August 1945, the surviving 33 prisoners at Ranua were massacred. Six who escaped were rescued by special forces. This memorial honours those men who enlisted from the northern region of New South Wales. We will remember them. Sandakan Memorial Foundation. Plaques 4–7 [Names] Related memorials Anzac Park Tamworth Anzac Park First World War Memorial Gates, Tamworth Burwood Sandakan Memorial Maitland Sandakan Memorial Veterans listed on this memorial Veterans listed on this memorial Sort by Family nameGiven nameWar Order AscDesc Items per page 1050100- All - Apply Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more C O Comber Second World War, 1939–45 view Private Gerald Francis Commerford Second World War, 1939–45 NX33246 Australian Army view Captain George Robin Cook Second World War, 1939–45 NX76184 Australian Army view Lance Corporal Hedley Spencer Crapp Second World War, 1939–45 NX40492 Australian Army view Lance Bombardier James Reginald Cross Second World War, 1939–45 NX30581 Australian Army view Private Lionel Aloysius Darragh Second World War, 1939–45 NX69767 Australian Army view Private Reginald John Davis Second World War, 1939–45 NX49304 Australian Army view Private Andrew Thomas Day Second World War, 1939–45 NX53571 Australian Army view Private Cyril Dempster Second World War, 1939–45 NX33899 Australian Army view Private Francis Carl Dezius Second World War, 1939–45 NX40910 Australian Army view Pagination « First First page ‹ Previous Previous page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … Next › Next page Last » Last page Do you know more about this war Memorial? Click here to learn how you can contribute Sidebar Address Anzac Park Cnr Brisbane and Upper Streets East Tamworth NSW 2340 Local Government Area Tamworth Regional Council Setting Garden/park Memorial type Cenotaph Recorded by Graham Wilson Year of construction 1993–1994 Dedication date 31 July 1994 Conflict/s Second World War, 1939–45 Materials Brick Bronze